Business advice, support and training for new and existing co-operatives and social enterprises in Leicester, Leicestershire and the East Midlands. Assistance with business planning, choosing the right legal structure and registering your business.

Co-operatives are businesses that are democratically owned and controlled either by the people who work for the business or, in terms of membership co-operatives, the people who use it. They are distinguished from other forms of business in that the need to make profit is balanced by the interests of the community and the environment

All co-operatives operate on the following seven principles that have been part of the co-operative movement since 1844:

Voluntary and open membership

Democratic member control

Members’ Economic Participation

Autonomy and Independence

Education, Training and Information

Cooperation among Cooperatives

Concern for Community

Different types of co-operatives

Worker Co-operatives are businesses owned by the people who work in them.

Community Co-operatives are businesses set up to provide services, employment or training for a local neighbourhood or interest group.

A Co-operative Consortium is a group of individuals or businesses who get together for mutual benefit, to undertake joint marketing, bulk-buying, share premises or to do joint contact delivery.

Credit Unions provide a local and secure savings facility, low-cost loans and other financial services for their members.

Community Interest Companies (CICs) are limited companies with special additional features created for people who want to conduct business for community benefit. This is achieved by a ‘community interest test’ and an ‘asset lock’.